Azalea plant named ‘MNIHAR011’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Azalea plant with spring, summer, and fall blooming, attractive, showy, dark rose colored hose-in-hose flowers, easily propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through summer, moderate growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture conditions; low growing, dense, and compact nature, grows well in containers, thrives in shade or sun and is hardy in Zone 6, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Rhododendron sp.

Variety denomination: ‘MNIHAR011’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention is a new and distinct variety of evergreen Azaleaof the genus Rhododendron. This new Azalea, hereinafter referred to as‘MNIHAR011’, was discovered in 2004 in Lawrenceville, Ga. ‘MNIHAR011’originated from a planned cross hybridization in 1999 between the femaleazalea plant ‘Conleb’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,581) and the male azaleaplant ‘Jay Valentine’ (unpatented) in a controlled environment inLawrenceville, Ga. The present invention has a blooming period inspring, summer, and fall, dense, low-growing growth habit, and coldhardiness.

The new variety was first propagated via semi-hardwood cuttings in 2004in Dearing, Ga. and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly bysemi-hardwood cuttings in Dearing, Ga. for over six years. ‘MNIHAR011’has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics throughsuccessive asexual propagations via semi-hardwood cuttings.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for.‘MNIHAR011’ has not been made publicly available or sold more than oneyear prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Dearing, Ga.

-   -   1. Spring, summer, and fall blooming;    -   2. Attractive, showy, dark rose-colored flowers;    -   3. Numerous hose-in-hose flowers;    -   4. Easily propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring        through summer;    -   5. Moderate growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture        conditions;    -   6. Dense, low growing and compact nature;    -   7. Grows well in containers;    -   8. Thrives in shade or sun; and    -   9. Hardy in Zone 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Azalea hybrid variety is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show buds, flowers, immature foliage and maturefoliage. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained byconventional photographic means. The photographs are of 6-year-oldplants that are grown in filtered shade in September in 2009 in Dearing,Ga.

FIG. 1 is a close-up showing stems and mature foliage.

FIG. 2 shows the mature foliage and the whole plant growth habit of a6-year-old plant.

FIG. 3 is a close-up showing flower buds and immature foliage.

FIG. 4 is a close-up showing flower size, form, and color.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of ‘MNIHAR011’ based onobservations made of 4-year-old plants grown in three-gallon containersaccording to wholesale commercial production conditions, under full-sun;and in an evaluation bed under semi-shade conditions in Dearing, Ga. inthe spring, summer, and fall seasons of 2009. The colors of the variousplant parts are detailed with reference to The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart (2001).

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Ericaceae.        -   Species.—Rhododendron sp.        -   Common Name.—Azalea.        -   Commercial Name.—‘MNIHAR011’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—The azalea plant ‘Conleb’ (U.S. Plant Pat.            No. 10,581).        -   Male parent.—The azalea plant ‘Jay Valentine’ (unpatented).-   Growth:    -   -   Form.—Dense, low-growing and compact.        -   Texture.—Medium.        -   Height.—60.96 cm to 91.44 cm.        -   Width.—90.44 cm to 120.92 cm.        -   Growth habit.—Broadly-rounded and freely-branching.        -   Growth rate.—Moderate growth rate under normal fertilization            and moisture conditions. In a period of six years from a            rooted cutting the plant reaches a height of 60.96 cm and a            spread of 90.44 cm. The growth rate is normally about 5 cm            to 6 cm per year; the plant reaches a height of 60.96 cm to            91.44 cm at maturity while maintaining a dense habit due to            the abundant branch development.        -   Spring growth.—The date of initial spring growth is March 9,            followed by continuous growth through fall.        -   Life cycle.—Perennial and evergreen.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple, pubescent, and evergreen.        -   Shape.—Elliptic to broadly elliptic.        -   Apex.—Mucronate.        -   Base.—Acuminate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Length.—4.2 cm.        -   Width.—1.3 cm.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate; the mid-veins and laterals are            impressed on the upper surface and the prominent on the            lower surface.        -   Immature leaf.—Upper surface: Color: Semi-glossy to matte,            RHS 144A (yellow-green). Pubescence: Strigose and scabrous            mainly along the margin and midvein; color is RHS N157D            (white) to RHS 163B (greyed-orange). Lower surface: Color:            Semi-glossy to matte, RHS 146C (yellow-green). Pubescence:            Mainly strigose along margin and midvein; color is RHS N157D            (white).        -   Mature leaf.—Upper surface: Color: Matte to slightly            semi-glossy, RHS 147A (yellow-green). Pubescence: Strigose            mainly along the margin; color is RHS 165B (greyed-orange);            0.1 cm in length. Lower surface: Color: Matte to slightly            semi-glossy, RHS 146A (yellow-green). Pubescence: Strigose;            color is RHS 164B (greyed-orange); 0.1 cm in length.        -   Petiole.—Length: 0.3 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm×2.5 cm.            Pubescence: Pattern is strigose, length is 0.075 cm to 0.2            cm and color is RHS N155A (white) and maturing to RHS 163A            (greyed-orange). Color: Begins as RHS 59A (red-purple) and            matures to RHS 145B (yellow-green).-   Stems:    -   -   Form.—Densely branched.        -   Young stems (1-year old and younger).—Color: Distal end: RHS            59A (red-purple) with RHS N155A (white) and RHS 163B            (greyed-orange) strigose pubescence. Basal end is RHS 144B            (yellow-green) with RHS 146B (grey-orange) pubescence.        -   Second-year stems.—Stem and pubescence color: RHS N199A            (grey-brown) and RHS 197A (greyed-green) with RHS 165A            (greyed-orange) strigose pubescence. Length: 3.0 cm with            occasional stem reaching 26.0 cm in length. Diameter: 0.1 cm            to 0.3 cm. Pith: Solid and uniform. Internode length:            Average 0.2 cm but can reach 0.7 cm on rapidly growing            stems.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Arrangement and form.—Tight; borne in groups of one or two            sheathed by a pair of modified leaf bracts.        -   Length.—1.6 cm.        -   Width.—0.4 cm.        -   Color.—Apex: RHS 139A (green). Base: RHS 146B            (yellow-green).        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Length (at tight bud).—0.9 cm.        -   Diameter (at tight bud).—0.5 cm.        -   Color (of scales).—Immature: RHS 145C (yellow-green).            Mature: RHS N144C (yellow-green) with areas of RHS 185A            (greyed-purple).        -   Texture.—Pubescent; villous pubescence. Pubescence Color:            Immature: RHS N155A (white). Mature: RHS 165C            (greyed-orange).        -   Pedicel.—Length: 1.0 cm. Diameter: 0.15 cm. Texture: Villous            pubescence. Pubescence Color: RHS N155A (white). Color: Apex            end: RHS 44D (red). Basal end: RHS 145A (yellow-green).        -   Calyx.—Form and arrangement: Composed of 5 sepals in a            cup-shape. Length: 0.5 cm. Width: 0.4 cm. Color: RHS 145A            (yellow-green). Pubescence: Villous and some strigose that            is RHS N155A (white) in color. Sepals: Shape: Incised            broadly elliptical. Apex: Cuspidate to Obtuse. Base: Fused;            joined at base to form a cup. Margin: Lobulate. Color (Both            upper and lower surface): RHS 145A (yellow-green). Length:            0.5 cm. Width: 0.4 cm.-   Flowers:    -   -   Type.—Imperfect, hose-in hose flowers.        -   Shape.—Open funnel-shaped.        -   Flowering habit and period.—Borne on the current season's            growth; 2 to 3 weeks beginning in late March in Dearing,            Ga.; flowering resumes in July and continues until frost            which can be as late as November or December.        -   Lastingness of flowers on the plant.—4 to 7 days in the sun;            6 to 9 days in the shade.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Diameter.—5.8 cm.        -   Depth.—4.0 cm.        -   Petals.—Quantity per flower and arrangement: 5 imbricate            petals that are fused at the base and remain fused up to 1.0            cm from the base and 2.0 cm from the base for the three            petals with spots. Shape: Obovate. Apex: Rounded. Base:            Fused. Margin: Entire and wavy. Texture (both upper and            lower surfaces): Glabrous. Length (of petals without spots):            4.6 cm. Width (of petals without spots): 2.5 cm. Color: Both            the upper and lower surfaces are RHS 47C (red) fading to 48A            (red) at senescence; spots on the upper surface of the            petals are RHS 46A (red), and the spots on the lower surface            of the petals are RHS 53B (red).-   Reproductive parts:    -   -   Pistil.—Quantity and form: Single, non-petaloid. Length:            4.5 cm. Stigma: Color: RHS 53A (red) and RHS 59A            (red-purple). Diameter: 0.1 cm. Style color: RHS 52A (red).            Ovary: Pubescent, pilose, with 5 locules and is RHS 155C            (white).        -   Stamens.—General: Not present.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity.—The capsule matures in about 6 months in Dearing,            Ga. and the fruit set is low and contains about 100-300            non-winged seeds.        -   Length.—1.8 cm.        -   Width.—0.9 cm.        -   Color.—RHS 146B (yellow-green).

CULTURE

‘MNIHAR011’ grows well in a wide range of conditions and tolerates sunto shade. ‘MNIHAR011’ prefers moist, well-drained soil that is rich inorganic matter and responds well to mulching and medium applications offertilizer. ‘MNIHAR011’ does best in soil with a pH of 5.0 to 5.5 and ispropagated with semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through thesummer. Azaleas root in five to six weeks with a high percentage ofrooting (80% plus). Tissue culture is also an effective means ofpropagation for azaleas.

DISEASES AND INSECTS

Lace bugs, root weevils, and spider mites can be a problem. Fungal andbacterial pathogens have not been observed, but no resistance testinghas been performed and no claim to abnormal resistance to pathogens canbe made.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIEITES

In Table 1, the ‘MNIHAR011’ is compared to parental varieties ‘Conleb’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,581) and ‘Jay Valentine’ (unpatented) and liststhe differences between the varieties.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘MNIHAR011’ ‘Conleb’ ‘Jay Valentine’ Plant Height60.96 cm to 121.92 cm to 121.92 cm to (Mature) 91.44 cm 152.4 cm 152.4cm Flower Diameter 5.8 cm 6.5 cm Not available Flower Form hose-in-hoseSingle to Single semi-double Flower Color Dark Rose Red Red Bloom PeriodLate-March to Spring, summer, Spring April and July and fall until frostHardy Zone 6 7 6 Stamen Number 0 0 to 9 5 Stamen Type Not presentPetaloid and Non-petaloid Non-petaloid

When ‘MNIHAR011’ is compared to the commercial variety ‘Roblen’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 16,248), ‘MNIHAR011’ has larger hose-in-hose flowers (5.8cm in diameter and 4.0 cm in depth) than ‘Roblen’ (which has the singleand semi-double flowers that are 5.08 cm in length and 5.47 cm indepth). Additionally, ‘MNIHAR011’ produces dark rose colored flowers,while ‘Roblen’ has bright red flowers.

1. A new variety of Azalea plant named ‘MNIHAR011’ as herein shown anddescribed.